[Peach]

I don't see President Bush starting an international firestorm of criticism by starting the "shock and awe" before the 48 hours have expired, regardless of Saddam's stated defiance to stay in Iraq. It's fairly common to move into position prior to military action and don't believe this means the action is about to commence. Even this evening at 8:00 p.m. EST when the deadline expires, it's 4:00 a.m. Bagdad time and really don't believe the big stuff will start with less than 2 hours of darkness left in Bagdad. Early evening Thursday is too early - too many civilians on the streets. It will be midnight or so (in my view) before we start anything and my bet is they wait until Friday or even Saturday to soften up the opposition troops through a couple of sleepless nights waiting for the big booms. Most importantly, however, are the weather conditions. Last night the sand storms were intense.

[JustPiper]

The darkness factor is exactly what confused me, would we move ground troops in the daytime?

[Petronski]

Iraqi leader's rejection of ultimatum is called 'final mistake'
By Elisabeth Bumiller New York Times

[snip] Although Bush has given Saddam until 7 tonight St. Louis time to leave Iraq or face war, Pentagon officials said the wording of the president's warning Monday was intended to leave open the option of military action before then in the event Saddam rejected the deadline.

White House spokesman Ari Fleischer would not rule out military action before the deadline.

"Saddam Hussein has to figure out what this means," he said.

Pentagon officials said that the decision of when to attack would take into account the weather and any 11th-hour attacks by Baghdad on allied forces or Israel....[snip]

[The Wizard]

Ari Fleischer stated yesterday that the action could well start before the clock is done, due to Saddams statements